Edward Snowden Boasts That He Got Security Clearance Faster Than 'Half Of This White House'

National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden quipped in a tweet Monday that he won government security clearance “faster than half of this White House.”

Snowden, an NSA contractor who leaked thousands of documents exposing the agency’s global electronic eavesdropping, made the comment in a reply to a tweet by journalist Barton Gellman. Gellman, who has written extensively on the government, privacy and security, noted that it’s “highly unusual” for so many in the Trump administration to be still lacking permanent clearance after this much time. Yet they still have access to sensitive information.

The issue was raised dramatically last week when news emerged that security clearance for White House staff secretary Rob Porter was held up by accusations of domestic violence from both of his ex-wives. Porter quit his White House job last Wednesday. He insists the accusations are unfounded.

It’s particularly unusual for someone at Kushner’s level in the White House, who should be on a fast track, to wait more than three months for the permanent security clearance he needs, a source told the Post. “That just tells me that somebody’s uncomfortable with the information that they have in his background,” another source explained to the newspaper.

But a lawyer quoted by the Post, Mark Zaid, who represents government workers going through the process, said it’s not necessarily sinister that so many still lack permanent security clearance. He believes that investigations may be slowed by the fact that more people than usual have never before had clearance, and they also may have have complicated financial holdings with international connections. Zaid wrote the same to Gellman in a tweet.

I'm no fan of Trump WH but this isn't highly unusual. There are more ppl than usual who (1) never had clearance before & (2) have extensive & complicated financial backgrounds & foreign connections. Takes longer. I'd love to prove political manipulation but no evidence so far.